Estate Planning for the South Bay's Anchor City
Long Beach is a city of historic charm and coastal luxury—California's 7th largest city and LA County's second largest. From the custom waterfront estates on Naples Island (90803) to the tree-lined streets of Bixby Knolls (90807) and the beach lifestyle of Belmont Shore, the financial stakes are among the highest in Southern California. In 2026, a generic "online will" is a liability for Long Beach families. Your estate requires a plan reviewed by a Licensed California Attorney to handle high property values and California's aggressive Proposition 19 tax rules.
1. Naples Island: Protecting Multi-Million Dollar Waterfront Estates
Naples Island is Long Beach's crown jewel—a Venice-inspired neighborhood of canals and waterfront homes where properties regularly exceed $2 million to $4 million+. These estates often include boat docks, canal-front access rights, and complex HOA arrangements that generic online trusts don't address. Our attorney-reviewed trusts include proper Assignment of Property clauses for Naples Island's unique waterfront assets and ensure your dock rights transfer privately to your heirs.
2. Belmont Shore & Alamitos Heights: Beach Lifestyle Estate Planning
Belmont Shore and Alamitos Heights represent Long Beach's quintessential beach communities. Properties near 2nd Street, Bayshore Avenue, and along Ocean Boulevard command premium prices and face significant probate exposure. Many families also own rental properties or duplexes in these areas, creating additional estate planning complexity. Our trusts address both primary residences and rental portfolio succession.
Probate Loss: The Long Beach Reality
| Neighborhood Example | Gross Estate Value | Statutory Court Fees | Our One-Time Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Long Beach / Lakewood Village | $750,000 | $38,000 | $400 |
| Median Long Beach Single-Family | $850,000 | $42,000 | $400 |
| Belmont Shore / California Heights | $1,200,000 | $50,000 | $400 |
| Naples Island / Park Estates Waterfront | $2,500,000+ | $76,000+ | $400 |
*Statutory fees are mandatory for both attorney and executor under CA Probate Code §10810. Debts and mortgages are NOT deducted.*
3. Bixby Knolls & California Heights: Historic Home Protection
Bixby Knolls and California Heights feature Long Beach's most beautiful historic architecture—1920s Spanish Colonials, English Tudors, and Craftsman bungalows. Many of these homes have been in families for generations with extraordinarily low Prop 13 tax bases. Under Proposition 19, if your children inherit but don't move in within one year, the property tax could jump from $3,000 to $15,000+ annually. Our attorney-reviewed trusts prioritize the specific funding and exclusion language needed to protect your family's low tax base.
4. The 2026 Prop 19 Reassessment Crisis for Waterfront Properties
Long Beach waterfront properties are ground zero for Proposition 19 tax issues. The 2026 inflation-adjusted exclusion is $1,044,586. On a Naples Island home assessed at $300,000 but worth $2.5 million, improper planning could cost your family over $20,000 per year in additional property taxes. Our attorney-led trust strategy maximizes your parent-child exclusions.
